LeBron James makes it clear that he will not delay his retirement and play with Bryce James

According to F/W contributor Vishvesha Kumar, US sports media, LeBron James said he would not postpone his retirement and play with Bryce's.

LeBron James broke the barriers throughout his career, but he made it clear at Lakers Media Day that he would not cross a line: postponing retirement is just to play with his youngest son, Bryce James. "I'm not waiting for Bryce. I don't know what his timeline is. He's his own young man now, like he's in Tucson. We'll see what happens this year or next. He has his own timeline. I got my timeline and I don't know if they match exactly, but we'll see."

This is the candid response of the 40-year-old to enter his record-breaking 23rd NBA season. Last season, LeBron had realized his dream of playing with his eldest son Brownie, and there was little to prove when it comes to family milestones. Brownie was selected by the Lakers with the 57th pick, and the father-son duo made history and became the first to play together in an NBA game. The possibility of playing alongside Brownie and Bryce one day is tempting for fans, but LeBron makes it clear that he won’t unnaturally extend his career to achieve that.

Bryce started his college career at the University of Arizona this season and he is still planning his NBA path. Depending on his development, he could be in the 2026 NBA Draft as early as next summer. The Lakers have their first-round pick in that draft, which opened the door to a potential reunion. But as LeBron suggests, it all depends on Bryce's growth and draft stocks, whether he is a lottery genius, a late first-round player, or a second-rounder like Brownie.

If someone has the ability to play long enough to achieve this, it is LeBron. Despite his age, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season. His production is still at the best-squad level, barely exceeding the expected decline twenty years later in his career.

Nevertheless, LeBron emphasized that Bryce's journey is his own. He has consolidated his personal and family legacy by reaching heights that others do not have. Whether Bryce will join him in Los Angeles or not, LeBron's focus remains on his timeline and ensures that his final seasons are at the highest possible level.

If we can create a historical picture of father and son on the same stage again, it will be perfect for James' career, which is even comparable to a retired tour. But the problem is that time doesn't wait for anyone. He is getting older day by day, and he doesn't know how long he can maintain his competitive state. It will be interesting to see what will happen next.